Bhupesh Baghel, the former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, is set to re-enter the parliamentary fray after a decade with the Congress party naming him as a candidate for the Lok Sabha elections. Contesting from Rajnandgaon, which is often seen as a BJP bastion, Baghel seeks to bring his political experience to the table. He last contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 from Raipur but faced defeat. Baghel, who served as the Chief Minister from 2018 to 2023, is also known for his role as the president of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress and currently as a member of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly representing Patan.
With the party’s initial list of 39 candidates, Congress has indicated its starting lineup with a stronghold in various states, although the prominent states with the largest number of Lok Sabha seats are not mentioned. The list is spotlighted by key figures including Rahul Gandhi, who is currently undertaking Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0 and seeking re-election from Wayanad, Kerala. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is considered a likely contestant from Raebareli, continuing the Gandhi family’s political legacy. Other prominent candidates announced are KC Venugopal for Alappuzha, Kerala, a decision that marks his return to the lower house contest after a stint in the Rajya Sabha.
Ahead of the polls, the Congress Election Committee is set to convene on March 11 in Delhi to deliberate on further candidate selections. The upcoming elections are a crucial political juncture, with parties forming their strategies to gain a majority in the Lok Sabha and shape the future governance of the country. As Kerala presents a significant number of seats, the BJP aims to make strong inroads in the state, despite Congress and its allied victories in the previous election. Political personalities like Shashi Tharoor and Rajeev Chandrasekhar are among those contesting, making the parliamentary elections a highly anticipated event full of dynamic political contests.